Tech in Soccer
There has been a lot of talk about if FIFA should change the way we play the game and add some tech to help correct the mistakes that the refs make. The problem is that refs do make mistakes, and unfortunately they influence the game drastically. I know every fan has lost a game due to a ref (or at least we blame the ref). Here is the issue: we can’t break up the flow of the game to much. So what measures should we take?
The most basic and easiest solution that wouldn't mutilate the game flow, is adding to the ball a sensor that detects the moment that it crosses the goal line or end line. It would be the simplest thing to do and it would decrease work load on the refs. However, FIFA has already said no. FIFA believes that if they start with the high-tech in-game aids, no matter how small or simple they are, the flood gates will open.
I understand the hesitation to not want to look at every play to make sure everything was right. That being said there is no reason why there can’t be a 5th official to look at key plays. We all know there are a lot of PKs that get called that shouldn't, that there are a lot of PKs that should be called that aren't, and goals that are scored in off sides. These plays would benefit from an extra moment of reflection. Now I am a firm believer in keeping the flow but as we all know when one of these plays happen the players from whichever team feels wronged complain to the ref and we lose time anyways. How much of an issue would it truly be?
Now that being said there are certain plays that could never be reviewed, like a goal that is called back from off sides if the ref blew the whistle before it was scored. I would not be fair to a defense or a keeper to count something after the ref has blown the play dead.
There is a very simple way to way to test to see if these things could work. National teams these days play an obscene amount of friendly games, why not put them to use and try it? It might actually make these games worth something.
At the very least FIFA needs to add sensor. This is a simple fix and won’t influence the game flow. Mistakes are part of the game and we will never get rid of them; but let’s work so we have the least possible. We are blessed to live in an era where anything is possible if we try. So let’s make this game the best it can FIFA.